LFCC to host Wits for Wellness 5K

Lord Fairfax Community College hosts the third annual Wits for Wellness 5K walk/run on April 16, as well as the second annual Kids Fun Run.

Stacey Ellis, assistant professor and program lead of health, physical education and recreation, said these events will be paired with the college’s 45th anniversary.

“It was born out of the idea to further promote health and wellness initiatives on campus amongst our faculty, staff, students and community members,” she said.

She added that for the past two years, over 130 people have participated in the event.

“Our main goal with the race is simply health and wellness promotion,” she said.

The walk/run will take place on the Middletown campus at 9 a.m. for the main event, and at 8:30 a.m. for the kids event.

“We start in the front of the student union building, meander through the parking lots, and then head out into the grassy area, by our large pond, into the woods, back to the parking lots and end in front of the student union building,” she said. “We offer a mixed surfaces course that combines a road course and cross country course feel.”

Music will be played at the start and finish lines. There will also be cornhole games, snacks and Leo the Lion, the college’s mascot, to create a “festive morning.” An awards ceremony will conclude the event with recognition for overall and age group winners.

Registration can be completed online or on paper forms until April 14. Visit the event’s website for additional registration details, www.lfcc.edu/5k.

“We will also have the opportunity to register in-person beginning at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the race,” Ellis said.

After covering the event’s expenses, additional funds go back to the college to promote health and wellness among the students, faculty and staff.

“We used some funds this past fall to purchase snack containers for all employees to promote healthy snacking options. This went along with the 45th Anniversary Wellness Challenge that we hosted, for faculty and staff, in the fall 2015 semester,” she said.

She added that she is communicating with others at the college to use the funds to “ease student financial burdens and aid in their intellectual and financial health.”